Carton having a pouring spout



Sept. 19, 1944. w. A; RINGLER 2,358,659

4 CARTON HAVING POURING SPOUT Filed June s,- 1942 2 Sheets-Sheqt 1ATTORNEYS.

Sept. 19, 1944. VI, A LER 2,358,659

CARTON HAVING POURING SPOUT Filed June 5, 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2INVENTOR. l'V/LL/AM ,4. QINGLEQ.

AfTORNEYS.

Patented Sept. 19, 1944 UNITED ST TES PATENT zssatsa emu;

csn'ron navmo s rounmo srou'r William A. Ringler, Wayne, Pa., assignorto The Gardner-Richardson Company, Ohio, a corporation of OhioMiddletown,

Application June 5, 1942, Serial No. 445,889 14 Claims. (c1. 229-11),

The primary object of my invention is the production of a carton havingan erectable pourso simplified that the tendency of the user will be toemploy the pouring spout rather than to cut erected carton. during theoperation of closing one end.

Figure 12 is a perspective view 'of the closed and sealed carton.

Figure 13 is illustrative of the carton with the pouring spout erected.

Figure v14 is a partial sectional view along the line ll-ll inFigul'e12.

the carton open.. It is an object of my invention to provide a pouringspout structure which does not involve folding on the part of the useror any similar inconvenient operation such as the insertion of parts inopenings. It is an object of my invention to provide a pouring spoutstructure of such character that its proper operation is insured andfailure is prevented.

These and other objects of my invention which will be set forthhereinafter or will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon readingthese specifications, I accomplish by that particular construction andarrangement of parts of which I shall now describe certain exemplaryembodiments.

. Reference is made to the drawings whereinr Figure 1 is a partial planview of a carton blank embodying the features of constructioncontemplated by this invention.

. Figure 2 is a partial plan view of the same such an area is readilyremoved.

carton after the glue has been applied to the glue flap and after thefirst Figure 31s a similar partial plan view fold has been made intubing the carton.

Figure 4 is a partial perspective view with parts Figure 7 is a viewthereof afterthe pouring spout has been reclosed.

Figure 8 is a partial plan view of a blank of somewhat differentcharacter.

Figure 9 is a partial plan view thereof after the glue has been appliedand the first fold made.

Figure 10 is a similar partial plan view of the completely tubed carton.

Figure 11 is a partial perspective view of the lineiB-IB of Figure 4.

Figure 15 is a partial sectional view along the Briefly in the practiceof my-invention I pro- 'vide a pouring spout the body and wing of whichis formed in the glue fiapof a carton. By consequence, in the completedcarton structure the pouring spout member will be completely covered byone of the carton walls. This carton wall may, if desired. be providedwith a preformed cutout through which the pouring spout may be erected;but I may provide it with a removable area defined by lines of weakeningsuch as lines of perforations. In the completed structure The type ofpouring spout which I provide is one of'triangular or V-shaped crosssection, and is adapted to be erected through a triangular opening inthe said overlying wall.

It is necessary, however, that the pouring spout structure be easilyerectable, and in particular that it will not be difiicult to engage andpull forward the pouring spout. It isessential that so that it will bediflicult or impossible to engage it. Consequently there mustbe providedsome type of stop for the pouring spout structure when it is innon-erected form. "I provide such a stop by locating the top.of thepouringspout structure adjacent one or the ends of the carton, where thestop may be pr vided by the edge or .edges of one or'more of. theclosure flaps of the carton. This construction also enables me toprovide a structure in which the top edge 01 the pouring spout ispresentedin a position of easy access.

Again, it is desirable to provide a pouring spout structure which willbe strong and sturdy and will accurately direct ,a stream of thecontents poured from the package. To this end, I provide a spoutstructure which has positively acting means to maintain it in erectedposition as will hereinafter be more fully set forth.

In Figure l I have shown a carton blank comprising walls I. 2, 3 and 4and a glue flap 5. Sealln tabs 6, i, I and l are attached respectivelyto i the carton walls. The sealing flap is enlarged as at III and inthis portion I provide apouring spout structure indicated generally atII, by shaping the upper comer of the glue fiap generally in an arc I2and making a slit I3 from the side edge of the glue flap to the centerof the are. It will benoted that the uppermost portion of the arcextends slightly above the top edge of the glue flap proper, andslightly above the score line I6 which is a continuation of that topedge. A radial score line Il may be made from the end of the slit I3 tothe beginning of the arch shaped portion. A notch in the arc shapedportion is formed as at I3.

In the wall I I may provide lines of weakening I9 demarking thetriangular removable portion mentioned above. It will be noted that thetop weakened line at I3a lies slightly above the score line I3 whichdemarks the sealing flaps from the side walls of the carton. Theweakened line I 3a may be straight as shown, or it may be arcuate inconformation following generally the arc I2 of the pouring spout.

The carton blank will be tubed in the ordinary fashion and by theordinary machines. I have shown the application of glue as at 23 inFigure 2 and the formation of the first fold, and the final fold inFigure 3.

The carton is filled and sealed in the usual manner. In sealing, theorder in which the flaps are folded and glued is not important exceptingthat the sealing flap 6 must be folded over and glued last. In a cartonsuch as that shown in Figure 1 flaps I and 9 may first be folded, thenflap 3 and then flap 6. This is illustrated in Figure 4. When flap 6 isfolded over, that arcuate portion of the .pouring spout II which risesabove the score line I3 will produce a slight hump as, shown at 2| inthe edge of the sealing flap. This hump facilitates the removal of thetriangular removable portion 22 of the wall I. In the cross sectionalview, Figure 15, it will be seen how the flaps 3 and 3 both lie behindthe upper edge of the pouringspout I I so that the ouring spout cannotbe struck inwardly of the carton- As shown in Figure 5, when thetriangular portion 22 has been torn out of theoverlying wall I along thelines of perforations I3, I3a the top of the pouring spout II not onlywill be backed as just explained, but wilr'preferably actually extendslightly above the level of the top of flap 8. It can be readily engagedby the fingernail and the pouring spout erected as in Figure 6. When thepouring spout has beenere'cted, the notch I3 will engage the edges offlaps! or 3 and 8, and will maintain the spout in erected condition.

It is not normally necessary in my construction to provide means forkeeping the pouring spout from coming out too far.- In a triangularspout of the type shown, where wall I has substantial width, the cut I3may be so placed in the glue flap that the wing is too long' to come outthrough the perforation in the wall I. Yet, if desired, the'tail of thewing may be so shaped as at 23 in Figure '6, as to impinge upon the topof the carton to inhibit further withdrawal. This is not howevernecessary where the wing may be made substantially as long as desired,since the spout will collapse on the outside of the carton the otheredge of the perforation in the outer wall I; but neither the score lineI! or 24 are necessary in my construction. In fact, I prefer to omit thescore line 24 at least, and may omit both. The omission of the scorelines does not interfere with the erection of the spout, and when thespout is erected gives a strong and more rigid construction, for thespringiness of the board is thus utilized to give a sturdier spout whenthe spout is held open by the notch I3.

In the remainder of the figures I have illustrated the application of amodified pouring spout to an hexagonal form of carton having (Figure 8)side walls 25, 26, 21,23, 23 and 33,and a glue flap 3|. Side walls 25and 23, which are opposite side walls, each bear a sealing flap32 or 33which is the same in size and shape as the end of the erected structure.The remaining side walls bear triangular sealing flaps 34, 35, 33 and31.

In the style of pouring spout here shown, which is applicable to anytype of carton, the wall 25 is not weakened by lines of perforation buthas a preformed triangular cut out 33. The pouring spout itself is againformed in the glue flap 3|.

- It is similar in character to the pouring spout previously described,but it has a flat top 33 to which a wing portion with an equally fiattop 43 is attached. The pouring spout also has the notch I3 previouslydescribed, together with a score line I1. The score line 24 may be addedif desired.

' Figures 9 and 10 illustrate the stages of tubin the knocked downcarton formed from the blank of Figure 8. Figure 11 shows the steps ofsealing the end of the carton. The flap 33 is first folded down asshown, then flaps 34, :5, 36 and 21 are folded over and glued to theunderlying fiaps,

giving the structure shown in Figure 12. In this structure an end of theflap 33 will lie behind the upper edge 33 of the pouring spout. Toprevent the sifting of the contents, the opening 38 in the pouring spoutitself may, in the filled and sealed carton shown in Figure 12, have athin, readily frangible, and preferably transparent sticker 3| pastedover it.

. It will be noted that my construction is such that in all cartons.having appreciable width-of walls, spot gluing is not necessary. Glue asat 20 may be applied by the ordinary non-timed gluewheel. Whilemyconstruction require a greater width in the glue fiaps 3 and 3| thanwould be required in cartons equipped with no pouring spout, yetconsiderable board may be saved bymaking the glue flap of full widthonly for a part of its length as illustrated both in Figures 1 and 8,and nesting the carton blanks on a piece of board as will be readilyunderstood by the skilled die maker.

The exact angularity of the slit I3 in the glue fiaps 5 or 3| is not alimitation on my invention.

. The angularlty should preferably be chosen to give a wing length tothe pouring spout such that the wing cannot be withdrawn through theopening in the overlying wall, yet such that the before -the wing can befully withdrawn. The essential in my construction is the provision of a.notch I8 which will hold the'pouring spout in erected condition. Imay,-if desired, provide another score line 24 substantially coincidentwith underlying wall having a partially severed portion capable of beingdrawn through said perforation, said portion bending along alinesubstantially coincident with a side of said triangular perforation, andin an intermediate area, to forma two-wing pouring spout, in which awing of the pouring spout is provided with a notched portionautomatically engageable with another carton portion at another side ofsaid triangular perforation to maintain said pouring spout in withdrawncondition.

2. In a carton, a plurality of walls which are substantiallycoterminous, som of said walls at least having sealing flaps articulatedthereto, one ofsaid walls having a glue flap articulated thereto, saidglue flap being in adhesive union with another of said. walls whichoverlies it, said overlying wall having a perforation adjacent its lineof articulation to a sealing flap, and said glue flap being configuredto provide a pouring spout structure which may be withdrawn through saidperforation, said pouring spout structure being located adjacent theline .of articulation of said walls to said sealing flaps, and a portionof said pouring spout being so located that when said carton is erectedand closed an edge of one of, said flaps at least will lie behind saidportion 0! said pouring spout to, prevent said portion of said pouringvspout from being struck inwardly oi the carton in an attempt to engageit for withdrawal through said perforation.

3. In a carton, a plurality of walls articulated together and a glueflap articulated to one of said walls, said walls being substantiallycoterminous, and some at least of said wall having sealingflapsarticulated thereto, said glue flap being in adhesive union with anoverlying well, said overlying wall having substantially a triangularremovable portion bounded by lines of weakening, one of said lines beingclosely adjacent the articulation of said wall to its sealing flap, saidglue flap having a portion lying beneath said removable portion andbeing withdrawable therethrough to form a two-wing pouring spout.

4. In a carton, a plurality of walls articulated together and a glueflap articulated to one of said walls, said walls being substantiallycoterminous, and some at least of said walls having sealingflapsarticulated thereto, said glue flap being in adhesive union with anoverlying wall, said overlying wall having substantially a triangularremovable portion bounded by lines 01' weakening, one oi said linesbeing closely adjacentthe articulation of said wall to its sealing flap.said glue flap having a portion lying be- 'neath said removable portionand being withdrawable therethrough to form a two-wing pouring spout,said pouring spout bearing on one oi its wings a notch so located as toengage a .carton portion at said last mentioned line of weakening andmaintain the said pouring spout in erected condition after it has beenso withdrawn.

5. In a carton, a plurality of walls articulated together and a glueflap, articulated to one of said walls, said walls being substantiallycoterminous, and some at least of said walls having sealing flapsarticulated thereto, said glue flap being in adhesive union with anoverlying wall,

said overlying wall having substantially a trian gular opening, one ofthe sides of which is closely adjacent the articulation of said wall toits sealing i'iap, said glue flap having a portion lying beneath saidopen ng and being withdrawable therethrough to form a pouring spout,said pouring spout bearing a notch'so located as teens to maintain thesaid pouring spout in erected condition after it has been so withdrawnby engagement with other carton portions, the said opening in saidoverlying wall and the said pouris made to engage the pouring spoutportion to erect it.

6. In a carton, a plurality of walls articulated together and a sealingflap articulated to one oi said walls, said walls being substantiallycoterminous, and some at least of said wallshaving sealingflapsarticulated thereto, said glue flap being in adhesive union with anoverlying wall, said overlying wall having substantially a triangularremovable. portion bounded by lines of weakening, one of said linesbeing closely ad- .iacent the articulation of saidwall toits sealingflap, said glue flap having a portion lying beneath said removableportion and being withdrawable therethrough to form a pouring spout,said pouring spout bearing a notch so located as to tend to maintain thesaid pouring spout in erected condition after it has been so withdrawnby en agement with other carton portions, the said removable portion ofsaid overlying wall and the said pouring spout portion being so locatedand configured that when said carton is erected and sealed, an edge ofone of said sealing flaps at least will lie behind aportion of saidpouring spout in order to preventsaid pouring spout from being struckinwardly of said carton when an attempt is made to engage the pouringspout por tion to erect it, said pouring spout portion comprising a partof said glue flap partially severed therefrom by an incomplete line ofcut, the removable portion of said overlying wall beirig substan ,tiallytriangular. with its apex directed away from the line of articulation ofsaid wall to its sealing flap, said out in said glue flapterminatingsubstantially at said apex, the remainder of said pouring spout portionhaving substantially an arcuate'c'onflguration of which the center is atthe terminationof said line of cut, whereby said pouring spout portionmay be withdrawn through said perforation to form a pouring spout ofsubstantially 'U- or V-shapedcross section.

7. The structure claimed in claim 6, wherein said pouring spout portionto be so withdrawn through said perforation is unscored; f

8. In a carton a plurality of walls articulated together and a glue flaparticulated to one of said walls, said walls being substantiallycoterminous, and some at least oi'said walls having sealing flapsarticulated thereto, said glue flap being in adhesiveunion with anoverlyingwall, said overlying wallhaving substantially a triangularremovable portion bounded by lines of weakening, one ofsaid lines beingclosely adjacent the articulation'oi saidwall to its sealing, flap,said, glue flap having a portion lying beneath said. removable portionand being withdrawable therethrough to .form a .pouringsp,o ut, saidpouring spout bearing a notch so located 'as totend to maintain the saidpouring spout in erected condition after it has been so withdrawn byengagement with other carton portions, the said removable portion of,ing wall being substantially triangular with its apex directed awayfrom the line of articulation of said wall to its sealing flap, said cutin said glue flap terminating substantially at said apex, the remainderof said pouring spout portion having substantially an arcuateconfiguration of which the center is at the termination of said line ofassaoso ther having a notch therein so directed as to cut, whereby saidpouring spout portion may be withdrawn through said opening to form apouring spout of substantially U- or V-shaped cross section, an arcuatepart of said pouring spout portion extending slightly above the line ofarticulation of said overlying wall and its articulated glue flap, andthe line of weakening demarking that portion of the removable part ofsaid overlying wall being configured to lie beyond the said extendingpart of said pouring spout portion whereby when said carton is closedand sealed a slight protuberance will be made in the top thereof,

permitting the more ready removal of the removable portion of saidoverlying wall and providing a structure in which after said removableportion has been removed, the extending part of said pouring spoutportion will lie slightly above the top of said carton so that it may bemore readily engaged;

9. The structure claimed in claim 8, in which said carton is ofhexagonal cross section and in which two of said sealing flaps are ofhexagonal shape, the remainder of said sealing flaps being triangular inshape.

10. In a carton, an overlying wall and an underlying wall, saidoverlying wall having a top portion articulated thereto and locatedsubstantially at right angles to the wall, said wall having asubstantially triangular perforation with one of its sides substantiallycoinciding with the produce engagement of the pouring spout with anotherwall portion to maintain the pouring spout erected against .theresiliency of the material of the pouring spout.

12. In a carton, an overlying wall and an underlying wall, saidoverlying wall having a top portion articulated thereto and locatedsubstantially at right angles to the wall, said wall having asubstantially triangular perforation with one of its sides substantiallycoinciding with the line of articulation of said top to said wall, andits apex directed away therefrom, said underlying wall being slitinwardly from an edge to said apex and the portion so partially severedbeing configured to form a pouring spout withdrawable through saidtriangular perforation, the top of said pouring spout extending upwardlysubstantially into the plane of said top when the pouring spout isclosed, and said pouring spout when erected having a substantiallyU-shaped cross section, and being. unscored in that portion which iswithdrawn through said perforation, and further having a notch thereinso directed as to produce engagement of the pouring spout with line ofarticulation of said top to said wall, and,

its apex directed away therefrom, said underlying wall being slitinwardly from an edge to said apex and the portion so partially severedbeing configured to form a pouring spout withdrawable through saidtriangular perforation, the top of said pouring spout extending upwardlysubstantially into the plane-of said top when the pouring s ear isclosed, and said pouring spout when erected having a substantially.U-shaped cross section.

11. In a carton, an overlying wall and an underlying wall, saidoverlying wall having a top portion articulated thereto and locatedsubstantially at rightangles to the wall, said wall havanother wallportion to 'maintain the pouring spout erected against the resiliency ofthe material of the pouring spout, the said pouring spout portion havinga wing part of such length as substantially to prevent the withdrawal ofthe entire pouring spout through said perforation.

13. In a cartoma plurality of walls articulated together, and a glueflap articulated to one of 4 said walls, said walls being substantiallycoterminous, and some at least of said walls having sealing flapsarticulated thereto, said glue flap being in adhesive union with anoverlying wall, said overlying wall having a substantially triangularopening therein, one of said lines being closely adjacent thearticulation of said wall to its sealing flap, said glue flap having aportion lying beneath said opening and being withdrawable therethroughto form a pouring spout, said pouring spout bearing a notch so'locatedas to tend to maintain the said pouring spout in erected condition byengagement with other carton portions after it has been so witlgirawn,the

said opening in said overlying wall and the said pouring spout portionbeing so located and configured that when said carton is erected andsealed, an edge of one of said sealing flaps at least will lie behind aportion of said pouring spout to prevent said pouring spout from beingstruck inwardly of said carton when an attempt is made to engage it,said pouring spout portion comprising a part of said glue flap partiallyseving a substantially triangular perforation with one of its sidessubstantially coinciding with the line of articulation of said top tosaid wall', and its apex directed away therefrom, said underlying wallbeing slit inwardly from an edge to said apex and the portion sovpartially severed being configured to form a pouring spout withdrawablethrough said triangular perforation, the top of said pouring spoutextending upwardly substantially into the plane of said top when thepouring spout is closed, and said pouring spout when erected having asubstantially U-shaped cross ered therefrom by an incompleted lineofcut,

the said pouring spout having a portion of which the top edge issubstantially in alignment with said line of articulation and anotherportion of which the top edge is at an angle thereto, 'vhereby saidpouring spout portion may be withdrawn through said opening to form apouring spout of substantially U or .V shaped cross section.

14. The-structure claimed in claim 13, in which said carton is ofhexagonal cross section, and in which two of said sealing flaps are ofhexagonal shape, the remainder of said sealing flaps being triangular inshape. I

1 WILLIAM A. RING-1BR.

